Former India off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has criticised the International Cricket Council over the scheduling pattern of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, suggesting that the tournament could struggle to capture viewer interest even before it reaches its peak. The event is scheduled to be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, but Ashwin believes the structure of the early matches may weaken the overall appeal.
Ashwin expressed concern that initial fixtures involving associate nations may not generate the excitement traditionally associated with a World Cup.
He noted that the increasing frequency of global tournaments has reduced anticipation among fans, a sentiment that is being echoed by many within the cricketing community. According to him, the sense of occasion that once defined ICC events is gradually fading due to an overcrowded international calendar.
Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat, Ashwin said that matches such as India against lower ranked associate teams do little to build momentum for a marquee event. He recalled that earlier World Cups were held once every four years, allowing excitement to grow organically. In those editions, India often faced strong teams like England or Sri Lanka in the opening rounds, which made the tournament instantly engaging.
Reflecting on his childhood memories, Ashwin compared the present scenario with the era of the 1996, 1999, and 2003 World Cups. He said that during those years, fans eagerly collected World Cup cards, followed printed schedules, and waited years for the tournament, which helped build natural anticipation and emotional attachment.
Ashwin also raised concerns about the long term future of one day international cricket, particularly beyond the 2027 World Cup. He admitted that while he continues to follow domestic competitions such as the Vijay Hazare Trophy, his engagement with the format has reduced compared to his interest in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
He highlighted how the temporary return of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to domestic one day cricket significantly boosted viewer interest. According to Ashwin, although sport is bigger than individual players, the presence of star cricketers often makes competitions more relevant to fans. He added that while many people followed the Vijay Hazare Trophy because of Kohli and Rohit’s participation, the bigger question remains about the format’s appeal once such players step away from ODIs.
Discussion about this post